The Pelican Brief (1993)

The Pelican Brief
Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office $100,768,056Details
International Box Office $87,227,803Details
Worldwide Box Office $187,995,859
Further financial details...

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$16,864,404 (16.7% of total gross)
Legs:5.98 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:53.6% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$45,000,000 (worldwide box office is 4.2 times production budget)
Theater counts:1,993 opening theaters/2,022 max. theaters, 6.7 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $263,507,657

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 801-900) 802 $100,768,056
All Time International Box Office (Rank 1,201-1,300) 1,250 $87,227,803
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 901-1,000) 987 $187,995,859

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon
iTunes:iTunes
Google Play:Google Play

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: December 17th, 1993 (Wide) by Warner Bros.
Video Release: February 10th, 2009 by Warner Home Video
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for momentary language and some violence.
Running Time: 141 minutes
Comparisons: vs. Something to Talk About
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Lawyers, Crime Thriller
Source:Based on Fiction Book/Short Story
Genre:Thriller/Suspense
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Contemporary Fiction
Production/Financing Companies: Warner Bros.
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date		Days In
Release
Super Bowl (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 232 $7,827,341 Jan 28, 1994 45
Martin Luther King (All Movies, 3-Day) 243 $5,798,756 Jan 14, 1994 31
Martin Luther King (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 158 $16,060,283 Jan 14, 1994 31
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day) 90 $13,129,302 Dec 31, 1993 17
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 42 $35,836,018 Dec 31, 1993 17
Christmas (All Movies, 3-Day) 125 $11,124,936 Dec 24, 1993 10
Christmas (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 73 $30,365,168 Dec 24, 1993 10

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 801-900) 802 $100,768,056
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 401-500) 410 $263,507,657
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 501-600) 541 $100,768,056
Top 1993 Movies at the Domestic Box Office 8 $100,768,056
All Time Domestic Box Office for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 101-200) 169 $100,768,056
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 501-600) 574 $100,768,056
All Time Domestic Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 201-300) 295 $100,768,056
All Time Domestic Box Office for Thriller/Suspense Movies 49 $100,768,056
All Time Domestic Box Office for PG-13 Movies (Rank 301-400) 374 $100,768,056
All Time Domestic Box Office for Warner Bros. Movies (Rank 101-200) 138 $100,768,056

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Dec 17, 1993 1 $16,864,404   1,993 $8,462   $16,864,404 1
Dec 24, 1993 1 $11,124,936 -34% 2,008 $5,540   $35,997,562 2
Dec 31, 1993 2 $13,129,302 +18% 2,008 $6,538   $61,056,465 3
Jan 7, 1994 2 $8,569,419 -35% 2,022 $4,238   $73,502,364 4
Jan 14, 1994 5 $5,798,756 -32% 1,934 $2,998   $81,662,226 5
Jan 21, 1994 6 $3,711,685 -36% 1,809 $2,052   $86,562,317 6
Jan 28, 1994 8 $2,826,155 -24% 1,730 $1,634   $90,338,565 7

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Dec 17, 1993 1 $24,872,626   1,993 $12,480   $24,872,626 1
Dec 24, 1993 2 $23,054,537 -7% 2,008 $11,481   $47,927,163 2
Dec 31, 1993 2 $17,005,782 -26% 2,008 $8,469   $64,932,945 3
Jan 7, 1994 2 $10,930,525 -36% 2,022 $5,406   $75,863,470 4
Jan 14, 1994 5 $6,987,162 -36% 1,934 $3,613   $82,850,632 5
Jan 21, 1994 7 $4,661,778 -33% 1,809 $2,577   $87,512,410 6

International Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time International Box Office (Rank 1,201-1,300) 1,250 $87,227,803
All Time International Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 801-900) 867 $87,227,803
Top 1993 Movies at the International Box Office 14 $87,227,803
All Time International Box Office for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 201-300) 266 $87,227,803
All Time International Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 918 $87,227,803
All Time International Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 401-500) 472 $87,227,803
All Time International Box Office for Thriller/Suspense Movies 88 $87,227,803
All Time International Box Office for PG-13 Movies (Rank 501-600) 509 $87,227,803
All Time International Box Office for Warner Bros. Movies (Rank 101-200) 188 $87,227,803

Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 901-1,000) 987 $187,995,859
All Time Worldwide Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 601-700) 672 $187,995,859
Top 1993 Movies at the Worldwide Box Office 10 $187,995,859
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 201-300) 208 $187,995,859
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 601-700) 693 $187,995,859
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 301-400) 349 $187,995,859
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Thriller/Suspense Movies 69 $187,995,859
All Time Worldwide Box Office for PG-13 Movies (Rank 401-500) 446 $187,995,859
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Warner Bros. Movies (Rank 101-200) 161 $187,995,859

Leading Cast

Julia Roberts Darby Shaw
Denzel Washington Gray Grantham

Supporting Cast

Sam Shepard Thomas Callahan
John Heard Gavin Verheek
Tony Goldwyn Fletcher Coal
James Sikking FBI Director Denton Voyles
William Atherton Bob Gminski
Robert Culp President
Stanley Tucci Khamel
Hume Cronyn Supreme Court Justice Rosenberg
John Lithgow Smith Keen
Stanley Anderson Edwin Sneller
John Finn Matthew Barr
Anthony Heald Marty Velmano
Jake Weber Charles Morgan, a.k.a. Garcia
Nicholas Woodeson Stump
Casey Biggs Eric East
Cynthia Nixon Alice Stark
Christopher Murray Rupert
Sonny Jim Gaines Sarge
Kevin Geer K.O. Lewis
Joseph Chrest* Song and Dance Man from Bar
Richard Bauer Managing Editor
Michelle O'Neill Sara Ann Morgan
Peter Carlin Edward Linney
Ralph Cosham Justice Jensen
Terrence P. Currier Rosenberg's Nurse
Edwin Newman Edwin Newman
Helen Carey Federal Clerk
Howard Shalwitz Washington Herald Journalist
Kyle Prue News Desk Reporter
Jewell Robinson Senior Washington Herald Editor
Kim Peter Kovac Senior Washington Herald Editor
Norman Aronovic Senior Washington Herald Editor
Carl Palmer Cop in Cowboy Boots
Carol Sutton New Orleans Policewoman
Scott Jefferson Lt. Olsen
Daniel Kamin Hooten
Mark McLaughlin CIA Agent in Hotel Room
Robert Pavlovich CIA Agent in Hotel Room
Magee Hickey Magee Hickey
Constance Yelverton Clerk at Sheraton Hotel
Kim Kettle Gavin Verheek's Wife
Ellie K. Wang Reporter at National Cathedral
Fran Dorn University Registrar
Karen Bralove University Placement Clerk
Teagle F. Bougere Male University Student
Carey Varner Female University Student
Saundra Quarterman Laura Kass
Cynthia Hood Parklane Receptionist
Alan Wade Parklane Administrator
Harold J. Surratt Parklane Security Officer
Paul Morella White & Bazevich Attorney
Ed Johnson White & Blazevich Security Guard
Jurian Hughes White & Blazevich Receptionist
Dick Stilwell White & Blazevich Security
Tom Quinn Sara Ann Morgan's Father
Beverly Brigham Safe Deposit Teller
Liza Sweeney Coleman Female Pursuer with Gun
Doug Coleman Male Pursuer with Gun
Michael Port Tulane Law Student
Shanna Connell Tulane Law Student
Gene Babb Reporter
Kyle D. Duvall Reporter
Karl Warren Reporter
Carrie Boren Reporter
James Earl Reed Reporter

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Alan J. Pakula Director
Alan J. Pakula Screenwriter
John Grisham Story Creator
Alan J. Pakula Producer
Pieter Jan Brugge Producer
Philip Rosenberg Production Designer
Tom Rolf Editor
Trudy Ship Editor
James Horner Composer
Stephen Goldblatt Director of Photography
Donald Laventhall Associate Producer
Peter Kohn Assistant Director
Celia D. Costas* Unit Production Manager
Robert Guerra Art Director
Lisa Fischer Set Decorator
Patrick Simpson Set Decorator
Albert Wolsky Costume Designer
Carlane Passman Costume Supervisor
George E. Little* Costume Supervisor
Vicki Hiatt Associate Editor
Marty Levenstein Associate Editor
James J. Sabat Sound Mixer
Richard Portman Re-recording Mixer
Rick Dior Re-recording Mixer
Michael Cerrone Re-recording Mixer
Ron Bochar Re-recording Mixer
Ron Bochar Supervising Sound Editor
Fred Rosenberg Sound Editor
Robert Hein Dialogue Editor
Magdaline Volaitis Dialogue Editor
Marissa Littlefield Dialogue Editor
Jim Henrikson Music Editor
Thomas Drescher Music Editor
Neal Martz Special Make-up Effects
Alixe Gordin Casting Director
Doug Coleman Casting Director

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.


  1. Summary
  2. News
  3. Box Office
  4. International
  5. Video Sales
  6. Cast & Crew
  7. Trailer

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$16,864,404 (16.7% of total gross)
Legs:5.98 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:53.6% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Production Budget:$45,000,000 (worldwide box office is 4.2 times production budget)
Theater counts:1,993 opening theaters/2,022 max. theaters, 6.7 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $263,507,657

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 801-900) 802 $100,768,056
All Time International Box Office (Rank 1,201-1,300) 1,250 $87,227,803
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 901-1,000) 987 $187,995,859

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Watch Now On

Amazon VOD:Amazon
iTunes:iTunes
Google Play:Google Play

Movie Details

Domestic Releases: December 17th, 1993 (Wide) by Warner Bros.
Video Release: February 10th, 2009 by Warner Home Video
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for momentary language and some violence.
Running Time: 141 minutes
Comparisons: vs. Something to Talk About
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: Lawyers, Crime Thriller
Source:Based on Fiction Book/Short Story
Genre:Thriller/Suspense
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Contemporary Fiction
Production/Financing Companies: Warner Bros.
Production Countries: United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date		Days In
Release
Super Bowl (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 232 $7,827,341 Jan 28, 1994 45
Martin Luther King (All Movies, 3-Day) 243 $5,798,756 Jan 14, 1994 31
Martin Luther King (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 158 $16,060,283 Jan 14, 1994 31
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day) 90 $13,129,302 Dec 31, 1993 17
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 42 $35,836,018 Dec 31, 1993 17
Christmas (All Movies, 3-Day) 125 $11,124,936 Dec 24, 1993 10
Christmas (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 73 $30,365,168 Dec 24, 1993 10

Leading Cast

Julia Roberts Darby Shaw
Denzel Washington Gray Grantham

Supporting Cast

Sam Shepard Thomas Callahan
John Heard Gavin Verheek
Tony Goldwyn Fletcher Coal
James Sikking FBI Director Denton Voyles
William Atherton Bob Gminski
Robert Culp President
Stanley Tucci Khamel
Hume Cronyn Supreme Court Justice Rosenberg
John Lithgow Smith Keen
Stanley Anderson Edwin Sneller
John Finn Matthew Barr
Anthony Heald Marty Velmano
Jake Weber Charles Morgan, a.k.a. Garcia
Nicholas Woodeson Stump
Casey Biggs Eric East
Cynthia Nixon Alice Stark
Christopher Murray Rupert
Sonny Jim Gaines Sarge
Kevin Geer K.O. Lewis
Joseph Chrest* Song and Dance Man from Bar
Richard Bauer Managing Editor
Michelle O'Neill Sara Ann Morgan
Peter Carlin Edward Linney
Ralph Cosham Justice Jensen
Terrence P. Currier Rosenberg's Nurse
Edwin Newman Edwin Newman
Helen Carey Federal Clerk
Howard Shalwitz Washington Herald Journalist
Kyle Prue News Desk Reporter
Jewell Robinson Senior Washington Herald Editor
Kim Peter Kovac Senior Washington Herald Editor
Norman Aronovic Senior Washington Herald Editor
Carl Palmer Cop in Cowboy Boots
Carol Sutton New Orleans Policewoman
Scott Jefferson Lt. Olsen
Daniel Kamin Hooten
Mark McLaughlin CIA Agent in Hotel Room
Robert Pavlovich CIA Agent in Hotel Room
Magee Hickey Magee Hickey
Constance Yelverton Clerk at Sheraton Hotel
Kim Kettle Gavin Verheek's Wife
Ellie K. Wang Reporter at National Cathedral
Fran Dorn University Registrar
Karen Bralove University Placement Clerk
Teagle F. Bougere Male University Student
Carey Varner Female University Student
Saundra Quarterman Laura Kass
Cynthia Hood Parklane Receptionist
Alan Wade Parklane Administrator
Harold J. Surratt Parklane Security Officer
Paul Morella White & Bazevich Attorney
Ed Johnson White & Blazevich Security Guard
Jurian Hughes White & Blazevich Receptionist
Dick Stilwell White & Blazevich Security
Tom Quinn Sara Ann Morgan's Father
Beverly Brigham Safe Deposit Teller
Liza Sweeney Coleman Female Pursuer with Gun
Doug Coleman Male Pursuer with Gun
Michael Port Tulane Law Student
Shanna Connell Tulane Law Student
Gene Babb Reporter
Kyle D. Duvall Reporter
Karl Warren Reporter
Carrie Boren Reporter
James Earl Reed Reporter

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Alan J. Pakula Director
Alan J. Pakula Screenwriter
John Grisham Story Creator
Alan J. Pakula Producer
Pieter Jan Brugge Producer
Philip Rosenberg Production Designer
Tom Rolf Editor
Trudy Ship Editor
James Horner Composer
Stephen Goldblatt Director of Photography
Donald Laventhall Associate Producer
Peter Kohn Assistant Director
Celia D. Costas* Unit Production Manager
Robert Guerra Art Director
Lisa Fischer Set Decorator
Patrick Simpson Set Decorator
Albert Wolsky Costume Designer
Carlane Passman Costume Supervisor
George E. Little* Costume Supervisor
Vicki Hiatt Associate Editor
Marty Levenstein Associate Editor
James J. Sabat Sound Mixer
Richard Portman Re-recording Mixer
Rick Dior Re-recording Mixer
Michael Cerrone Re-recording Mixer
Ron Bochar Re-recording Mixer
Ron Bochar Supervising Sound Editor
Fred Rosenberg Sound Editor
Robert Hein Dialogue Editor
Magdaline Volaitis Dialogue Editor
Marissa Littlefield Dialogue Editor
Jim Henrikson Music Editor
Thomas Drescher Music Editor
Neal Martz Special Make-up Effects
Alixe Gordin Casting Director
Doug Coleman Casting Director

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 801-900) 802 $100,768,056
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 401-500) 410 $263,507,657
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 501-600) 541 $100,768,056
Top 1993 Movies at the Domestic Box Office 8 $100,768,056
All Time Domestic Box Office for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 101-200) 169 $100,768,056
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 501-600) 574 $100,768,056
All Time Domestic Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 201-300) 295 $100,768,056
All Time Domestic Box Office for Thriller/Suspense Movies 49 $100,768,056
All Time Domestic Box Office for PG-13 Movies (Rank 301-400) 374 $100,768,056
All Time Domestic Box Office for Warner Bros. Movies (Rank 101-200) 138 $100,768,056

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Dec 17, 1993 1 $16,864,404   1,993 $8,462   $16,864,404 1
Dec 24, 1993 1 $11,124,936 -34% 2,008 $5,540   $35,997,562 2
Dec 31, 1993 2 $13,129,302 +18% 2,008 $6,538   $61,056,465 3
Jan 7, 1994 2 $8,569,419 -35% 2,022 $4,238   $73,502,364 4
Jan 14, 1994 5 $5,798,756 -32% 1,934 $2,998   $81,662,226 5
Jan 21, 1994 6 $3,711,685 -36% 1,809 $2,052   $86,562,317 6
Jan 28, 1994 8 $2,826,155 -24% 1,730 $1,634   $90,338,565 7

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Dec 17, 1993 1 $24,872,626   1,993 $12,480   $24,872,626 1
Dec 24, 1993 2 $23,054,537 -7% 2,008 $11,481   $47,927,163 2
Dec 31, 1993 2 $17,005,782 -26% 2,008 $8,469   $64,932,945 3
Jan 7, 1994 2 $10,930,525 -36% 2,022 $5,406   $75,863,470 4
Jan 14, 1994 5 $6,987,162 -36% 1,934 $3,613   $82,850,632 5
Jan 21, 1994 7 $4,661,778 -33% 1,809 $2,577   $87,512,410 6

International Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time International Box Office (Rank 1,201-1,300) 1,250 $87,227,803
All Time International Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 801-900) 867 $87,227,803
Top 1993 Movies at the International Box Office 14 $87,227,803
All Time International Box Office for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 201-300) 266 $87,227,803
All Time International Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 918 $87,227,803
All Time International Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 401-500) 472 $87,227,803
All Time International Box Office for Thriller/Suspense Movies 88 $87,227,803
All Time International Box Office for PG-13 Movies (Rank 501-600) 509 $87,227,803
All Time International Box Office for Warner Bros. Movies (Rank 101-200) 188 $87,227,803

Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 901-1,000) 987 $187,995,859
All Time Worldwide Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 601-700) 672 $187,995,859
Top 1993 Movies at the Worldwide Box Office 10 $187,995,859
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 201-300) 208 $187,995,859
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 601-700) 693 $187,995,859
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Contemporary Fiction Movies (Rank 301-400) 349 $187,995,859
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Thriller/Suspense Movies 69 $187,995,859
All Time Worldwide Box Office for PG-13 Movies (Rank 401-500) 446 $187,995,859
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Warner Bros. Movies (Rank 101-200) 161 $187,995,859